The Design & Verification of an Automatic Occlusion Speech Valve for Voice Rehabilitation

This work investigates the restoration of the lost functions of the upper airway in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy surgery. The primary airway functions were defined as ventilation and patency, heating and humidification of air, filtration of air, coughing, swallowing, speech, olfaction, gustation and chemo sensitisation and air resistance. Through a review of the literature, the performance of the airway functions was compared pre and post laryngectomy. It was found that all of the aforementioned functions were negatively affected by total laryngectomy which led to lower quality of life and increased risk of harm or disease compared to healthy individuals of the same age groups. There are medical devices described in the literature used for the restoration of upper airway function. For most identified functions there was a medical device and or therapeutic solution to restore them partially or fully. Research found no evidence that existing medical devices had the level of filtration they provided verified. Many devices in the literature restored one function, requiring patients to use a combination of devices, this has benefits and disbenefits, mostly relating to in use life. This work aimed to restore as many functions as possible within a singular device. A singular device was designed to restore the upper airway functions. The variability of the difference in resistance of the larynx to inhalation and exhalation identified in the literature was incorporated into the device, the phenomenon was approximately matched by employing fluid structure interaction within the device. The design featured a novel bistable diaphragm that the patient can close hands free when they want to redirect air through a speech device. This had the benefit of remaining closed during pauses in speech. Different functions of the candidate device were evaluated through a combination of tests, including tests following established methodologies and new tests and test apparatus developed as part of this work. Pneumatic test apparatus was built to produce outputs that matched laryngectomy patient spirometry data found in the literature. The first iteration of the design was tested in vitro. The design was translated into FEA, validated with the lab results and optimised. Heat and moisture exchange and filtration were fully restored. Cough, breathing resistance and speech were partially restored. It was concluded that a singular device can restore most of the upper airway functions to a level closely resembling prelaryngectomy. Additionally, it was concluded that a device must be used in conjunction with other restorative medical devices to effectively restore all lost functions to pre-laryngectomy upper airway performance

Southwest Research Institute assistance to NASA in biomedical areas of the technology utilization program

The activities are reported of the NASA Biomedical Applications Team at Southwest Research Institute between 25 August, 1972 and 15 November, 1973. The program background and methodology are discussed along with the technology applications, and biomedical community impacts

Mechatronic face mask anti covid-19 to remotely record cardiorespiratory variables in farm’s workers engaged in jobs at high risk of infection

The most frequent prodromes of COVID-19 infection are fever, signs of respiratory diseases, cough and shortness of breath. Nevertheless, it is not infrequent that patients with COVID-19 also show cardiac symptoms. So, it is of importance to detect the prodromal symptoms of the COVID-19 infection in order to be able to make a diagnosis as quickly as possible to provide the immediate insertion of the infected people in isolation/therapy protocols. Here is presented a prototype of a smart face mask, named AG47-SmartMask that, in addition to the function of both an active and passive anti COVID-19 filter by an electro-heated filter brought to a minimum temperature of 38°C, it also allows the continuous monitoring of numerous cardio-pulmonary variables. Several specific sensors are incorporated into the mask to assess the inside mask temperature from which synchronous waving with the breathing was acquired the breath frequency, relative humidity, air pressure together and end tidal carbon dioxide percentage, and an auricular assessment of the body temperature, the heart rate and the percentage of oxygen saturation of haemoglobin. Sensors are embedded within an advanced ICT platform. To validate the AG47-SmartMask tool, were engaged twenty seven Farm’s workers of a vegetable packaging chain and they dressed the face mask device to simulate, while working, both tachypnea and cough, and the AG47-SmartMask faithfully quantified the simulated dyspnoic events

Southwest Research Institute assistance to NASA in biomedical areas of the technology

Significant applications of aerospace technology were achieved. These applications include: a miniaturized, noninvasive system to telemeter electrocardiographic signals of heart transplant patients during their recuperative period as graded situations are introduced; and economical vital signs monitor for use in nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals to indicate the onset of respiratory arrest; an implantable telemetry system to indicate the onset of the rejection phenomenon in animals undergoing cardiac transplants; an exceptionally accurate current proportional temperature controller for pollution studies; an automatic, atraumatic blood pressure measurement device; materials for protecting burned areas in contact with joint bender splints; a detector to signal the passage of animals by a given point during ecology studies; and special cushioning for use with below-knee amputees to protect the integrity of the skin at the stump/prosthesis interface

Study of an attitude control system for the astronaut maneuvering unit final report, dec. 1963 - jul. 1964

Attitude control system for astronaut maneuvering unit

Neonatology. Introduction

Навчальний посібник містить інформацію про основні принципи догляду за новонародженими дітьми, перехідні умови та годування немовлят, основні принципи реанімації новонароджених. Для англомовних студентів вищих навчальних закладів III-IV рівнів акредитації, аспірантів, неонатологів, сімейних лікарів, педіатрів, терапевтів, акушерів та гінекологів.This study guide contains information about basic principles of care of newborn babies, transitory conditions and feeding of infants, main principles of neonatal resuscitation. For English-speaking students of higher educational institutions of III–IV levels of accreditation, postgraduates, neonatologists, family physicians, pediatricians, internists, obstetricians and gynecologists

Contamination Control Handbook for Ground Fluid Systems Final Technical Publication

Handbook for contamination control of aerospace ground fluid systems and portable equipmen

Is Tooth Bleaching Really Safe?

The field of cosmetic dentistry emerged when people began to realize the importance of a good smile. Stains on teeth were no longer deemed acceptable with the advent of cheap and safe procedures like tooth bleaching. This new procedure replaced the older, more costly and invasive method of laminated veneers and crowns. The chemistry behind this bleaching occurs via unstable hydroxyl radicals and thus the question arose as to how safe this accepted procedure really is. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the negative ramifications of tooth bleaching and to determine if it’s truly safe. The null hypothesis is that the procedure is innocuous and the status quo of cosmetic dentistry is appropriate. Data for this report was obtained from EBSCOhost, Google scholar and PubMed. Tooth sensitivity, oral mucosal and gingival irritation are among the most common side effects observed. More serious side effects like weakening of bond strength, leakage of restorations, cervical root resorption, bleachorexia and degradation of enamel matrix are all observed and are concluded to be serious issues. Though they are reported in the literature, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and depletion of oral microbes are all determined to not be of any true concern. With a plethora of reasons to avoid tooth whitening, it’s imperative that users be properly informed before commencing whitening. This will ensure that all possible measures to avoid these negative effects are indeed taken. Needless to say, the use of such toxic materials shouldn’t be available OTC (over-the-counter) as they currently are. If a new and cheaper system is developed on the heels of the successful Pearl Brilliant White Ionic Teeth Whitening System, then bleaching will finally be a safe and universal procedure

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography, supplement 216

One hundred twenty reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in January 1981 are listed. Topics include: sanitary problems; pharmacology; toxicology; safety and survival; life support systems; exobiology; and personnel factors

Technology applications

A summary of NASA Technology Utilization programs for the period of 1 December 1971 through 31 May 1972 is presented. An abbreviated description of the overall Technology Utilization Applications Program is provided as a background for the specific applications examples. Subjects discussed are in the broad headings of: (1) cancer, (2) cardiovascular disease, (2) medical instrumentation, (4) urinary system disorders, (5) rehabilitation medicine, (6) air and water pollution, (7) housing and urban construction, (8) fire safety, (9) law enforcement and criminalistics, (10) transportation, and (11) mine safety